How to Locate a Playgroup for Special Needs Children

Playgroups are an essential part of raising children who don't go to school or daycare. Providing a time for children to play and interact with other children is an important part of building social skills. Most special needs children can also benefit from spending time with a playgroup, but it can be a bit challenging to locate one.

Instructions

1. Talk to your child's doctor or therapist to determine if a playgroup will be helpful or harmful for your child first.

2. Talk to other parents of children with special needs. Other parents are some of the best resources for finding playgroups. You can meet other parents in support groups, on the playground or at therapy sessions.

3. Consider starting your own playgroup in your area if you can't find one. Post a message on a forum dedicated to parenting children with special needs or on a classifieds website. Include an age range for children you would like to be in the playgroup.

4. Contact local daycare centers to locate one with special needs drop in services. Just because your child has special needs doesn't mean that she can't thrive in a daycare setting and learn from interacting with children of different abilities. Many daycare centers are prepared to accept and accommodate children with special needs, and taking this route can provide a much needed respite for you too.

5. Locate playgroups in your area that are not specifically designed for special needs children. Many playgroups will welcome children with special needs regardless of whether or not other they were designed for that purpose. Children without special needs can benefit greatly from learning to interact with children with special needs at an early age.

Tips & Warnings

• If you start your own playgroup, you might want to organize the first meeting in a public place like a park, a playground or a kid's gym, for instance. It's best to avoid inviting strangers to your home until you get to know them.

• Unless the playgroup or daycare is run by people with training and experience handling your child's special needs, stay with your child to supervise play. Other parents and volunteers may not have the qualifications to assist your child should there be an emergency.

• Research a daycare center thoroughly before leaving your special needs child in their care. Make sure the center is knowledgeable and properly equipped to handle your child's disability and any problems that might arise unexpectedly.